Mucolipidosis I: Increased sialic acid content and deficiency of an α-N-acetylneuraminidase in cultured fibroblasts

Extracts of fibroblasts derived from a patient with mucolipidosis I exhibited a fivefold increase in sialic acid content as compared to those of normal cells. About 80% of this sialic acid was linked to other molecules. Using neuraminlactose as a substrate, mucolipidosis I fibroblasts were found to be severely deficient in an “acid” α-N-acetylneuraminidase. Since other lysosomal hydrolase activities were normal, we hypothesize that the basic metabolic lesion in mucolipidosis I lies in a defective degradation of sialic acid-containing compounds due to the genetic deficiency of a neuraminidase.     

Deficiency of neuraminidase in the sialidoses and the mucolipidoses

Summary Neuraminidase activity in cultured fibroblasts from patients either with various forms of sialidosis or with I-cell disease (ICD) or mucolipidosis (ML) III has been determined by both a colorimetric and a fluorometric method. The former applied to frozen fibroblast pellets demonstrated a specific deficiency of neuraminidase in patients with the sialidoses. The enzyme was also deficient in I-cells, as were other lysosomal hydrolases. With the fluorogenic substrate these data could be confirmed and extended, and elementary kinetics of neuraminidase studied. In unfrozen freshly harvested fibroblasts, neuraminidase activity was severalfold that in frozen aliquots. A comparative and simultaneous study could not reveal substantial differences between the residual neuraminidase activity found in the various clinical forms of sialidosis. And, in fibroblasts from patients with ICD, also called ML II, the deficiency of this enzyme is quantitatively similar to that in the sialidoses, but the residual activity in ML III is three times higher. In both ML II and ML III the defect is probably secondary to the unknown metabolic error.     

Mucolipidoses II and III variants with normal N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphotransferase activity toward alpha-methylmannoside are due to nonallelic mutations.

Normal N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphotransferase activity toward mono- and oligosaccharide acceptor substrates was detected in cultured skin fibroblasts from mucolipidoses II and III patients who were designated as variants (one of four mucolipidosis II and three out of six mucolipidosis III patients examined). The activity toward natural lysosomal protein acceptors was absent or deficient in cell preparations from all patients with classical as well as variant forms of mucolipidoses II and III. Complementation analysis, using fused and cocultivated mutant fibroblast combinations, revealed that, while cell lines with variant mucolipidosis III constituted a complementation group distinct from that of classical forms of mucolipidoses II and III, the variant mucolipidosis II cell line belonged to the same complementation group as did the classical forms. In contrast to the mutant enzyme from variant mucolipidosis III patients that failed to recognize lysosomal proteins as the specific acceptor substrates, the activity toward alpha-methylmannoside in the variant mucolipidosis II patient could be inhibited by exogenous lysosomal enzyme preparations (bovine beta-glucuronidase and human hexosaminidase A). These findings suggest that N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphotransferase is composed of at least two distinct polypeptides: (1) a recognition subunit that is defective in the mucolipidosis III variants and (2) a catalytic subunit that is deficient or altered in the classical forms of mucolipidoses II and III as well as in the mucolipidosis II variant.     

Mistletoe lectin I is a sialic acid-specific lectin with strict preference to gangliosides and glycoproteins with terminal Neu5Ac alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc residues

Mistletoe lectin I (ML-I) is a type II ribosome-inactivating protein, which inhibits the protein biosynthesis at the ribosomal level. ML-I is composed of a catalytically active A-chain with rRNA N-glycosidase activity and a B-chain with carbohydrate binding specificities. Using comparative solid-phase binding assays along with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, ML-I was shown to preferentially bind to terminally alpha2-6-sialylated neolacto series gangliosides from human granulocytes. IV(6)Neu5Ac-nLc4Cer, VI(6)Neu5Ac-nLc6Cer, and VIII(6)Neu5Ac-nLc8Cer were identified as ML-I receptors, whereas the isomeric alpha2-3-sialylated neolacto series gangliosides were not recognized. Only marginal binding of ML-I to terminal galactose residues of neutral glycosphingolipids with a Galbeta1-4Glc or Galbeta1-4GlcNAc sequence was determined, whereas a distal Galalpha1-4Gal, GalNAcbeta1-3Gal, or GalNAcbeta1-4Gal disaccharide did not bind at all. Among the glycoproteins investigated in Western blot and microwell adsorption assays, only those carrying Neu5Acalpha2-6Galbeta1-4GlcNAc residues, exclusively, predominantly, or even as less abundant constituents in an assembly with Neu5Acalpha2-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-terminated glycans, displayed high ML-I binding capacity. From our data we conclude that (i) ML-I has to be considered as a sialic acid- and not a galactose-specific lectin and (ii) neolacto series gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins with type II glycans, which share the Neu5Acalpha2-6Galbeta1-4GlcNAc terminus, are true ML-I receptors. This strict preference might help to explain the immunostimulatory potential of ML-I toward certain leukocyte subpopulations and its therapeutic success as a cytotoxic anticancer drug.     

Biological and biochemical characterization of novel lipid-like antibacterial substances (mutalipocins) produced by Streptoccus mutans strain 32K

Two novel antibacterial substances (designated mutalipocins) have been isolated from the culture supernatant of Streptoccus mutans strain 32K (serotype c). The mutalipocins were purified by extraction of the culture supernatant with light petroleum (b.p. range 30-60 degrees C), followed by Lobar column chromatography on Lichroprep RP-8. HPLC indicated that both mutalipocin preparations (ML-I and ML-II) were homogeneous. The Mr values of ML-I and ML-II were less than 1000. Both mutalipocins were unaffected by treatment over the pH range 3.0-10.0, or with phospholipase A or proteolytic enzymes, but were partially inactivated by treatment with lipase or phospholipase C. ML-II was resistant to heat treatment. TLC indicated that ML-I and ML-II contained unsaturated, aldehyde and/or ketone, and ester groups. The inhibition of S. mutans by ML-I and ML-II was due to bactericidal, rather than bacteriostatic, activities. The antibacterial spectra of ML-I and ML-II were narrower and more species-specific than those of bacteriocins produced by other Gram-positive bacteria.     

Human β-galactosidase and α-neuraminidase deficient mucolipidosis: Genetic complementation analysis of the neuraminidase deficiency

Summary Human -galactosidase and -neuraminidase deficient mucolipidosis [ML(gal^-neur^-)] is an inherited lysosomal enzymopathy which recently was designated as a sialidosis. We analyzed the neuraminidase deficiency of this disorder with genetic complementation analyses using a heterokaryon enrichment procedure. The genetic defects of two apparent variants of this disorder complemented the defects of the neuraminidase deficiency diseases, sialidosis I and mucolipidosis I, resulting in the restoration of neuraminidase activity in heterokaryons. The neuraminidase deficiency, therefore, may not be the primary defect in ML(gal^-neur^-) and is not an appropriate test for determining carrier status. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of this disorder suggest that a post-translational or processing event for these enzymes may be defective. The defect, however, is different from I-cell disease and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy, two disorders of post-translational lysosomal enzyme biosynthesis, since complementation studies demonstrated recovery of intracellular -galactosidase and -neuraminidase levels in heterokaryons. The lack of human -galactosidase expression in man-mouse somatic cell hybrids formed from fibroblasts of the infantile onset type disorder suggests that the defect is not corrected by the mouse genome. The ML(gal^-neur^-) disorder therefore appears to be a distinct subtype of the inherited neuraminidase deficiencies in which the defect may occur in a post-translational or regulatory step which coordinately affects the expression of lysosomal -galactosidase and -neuraminidase.     

The complementation of beta-galactosidase in fused cells of mucolipidosis II with another variants of beta-galactosidase deficiency using new single cell enzyme assay.

By cell fusion and new single cell hydroalse assay technique, the complementation was observed between mucolipidosis II and other two hereditary lysosomal β-galactosidase deficient disorders, GM₁-gangliosidosis, type 2 and β-galactosidase deficient-type mucolipidosis. The possible mechanisms with which abnormal ML-II β-galactosidase was modified and normalized by other two different cell strains were discussed.     

I-cell disease. A hypothesis for the structure of the carbohydrate recognition site on beta-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase.

I-cell disease (mucolipidosis II) is presented as a model for endo- and exo-cytosis phenomena in man. A hypothesis is presented for the structure of the carbohydrate recognition site on fibroblast-derived beta-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase that may extend to the other affected hydrolases and that is responsible for specific uptake of the enzyme by fibroblasts. The proposed neuraminidase deficiency in I-cell disease is discussed in the light of its significance in influencing the final sugar sequence in the carbohydrate structure of the recognition site.     

Assay of proteolytic enzymes by the fluorescence polarization technique.

Neuraminidase substrates of high specific activity (>300 μCi/μmol) were prepared by reduction of sialyllactose with NaB³H₄, followed by separation of the 2 → 3 and 2 → 6 isomers of [³H]sialyllactitol by paper chromatography. Hydrolysis of sialyllactitol by neuraminidase was monitored by measuring the radioactivity in the neutral reaction product, which was separated from the charged substrate by passage over a small anion exchange column. The assay was applied to the neuraminidase activity of cultured human skin fibroblasts. The K_m was found to be 1.1 mm for both substrates; the pH optimum, 4.0; the 2 → 3 isomer was hydrolyzed twice as fast as the 2 → 6. In several genetic disorders associated with neuraminidase deficiency, the activity toward both isomers was reduced almost completely (mucolipidoses I and II; Goldberg syndrome), or only partially (mucolipidosis III; adult myoclonus syndrome); however, the relative activity towards the two isomers remained approximately the same in all cases.     

Electrophoretic abnormalities of lysosomal enzymes in mucolipidosis fibroblast lines.

Electrophoretic properties of eight lysosomal hydrolases and 36 nonlysosomal enzymes were investigated in cultured fibroblasts from children with the inherited storage disease mucolipidosis II (ML II); fibroblasts from a child with a related disorder, mucolipidosis III (ML III); and two obligate heterozygous cell lines from parents of a ML II child. Cell homogenates of ML II fibroblast lines showed altered mobilities for lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase, acid phosphatase2, and alpha-mannosidase and deficient activity for the esterase-A4 and lysosomal alpha-mannosidase-B electrophoretic phenotypes. Altered mobility was also detected for the nonlysosomal enzyme adenosine deaminase-d. Deficient activities of other lysosomal enzymes were observed as previously reported. In a single ML III fibroblast line, only beta-hexosaminidase showed an abnormal electrophoretic pattern suggesting a difference between these cells and ML II fibroblasts. Thirty-five nonlysosomal enzymes associated with other cellular organelles and metabolic pathways were electrophoretically normal in all mucolipidosis cell lines. Heterozygous ML II cells showed normal expression for all enzymes. Two major patterns of altered lysosomal enzymes and adenosine deaminase were demonstrated in ML II cell lines, suggesting that at least two genetic forms of this disorder may exist. Neuraminidase treatment of ML II homogenates converted altered forms of acid phosphatase2 and adenosine deaminase-d and in two ML II lines, recovered the previously undetected lysosomal alpha-mannosidase band. These results are consistent with the mucolipidosis defect(s) being associated with abnormal post-translatinal processing of multiple lysosomal enzymes and adenosine deaminase-d.     

Vacuolization of mucolipidosis type II mouse exocrine gland cells represents accumulation of autolysosomes

We previously reported that mice deficient in UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase (mucolipidosis type II or Gnptab -/- mice), the enzyme that initiates the addition of the mannose 6-phosphate lysosomal sorting signal on acid hydrolases, exhibited extensive vacuolization of their exocrine gland cells, while the liver, brain, and muscle appeared grossly unaffected. Similar pathological findings were observed in several exocrine glands of patients with mucolipidosis II. To understand the basis for this cell type-specific abnormality, we analyzed these tissues in Gnptab -/- mice using a combined immunoelectron microscopy and biochemical approach. We demonstrate that the vacuoles in the exocrine glands are enlarged autolysosomes containing undigested cytoplasmic material that accumulate secondary to deficient lysosomal function. Surprisingly, the acid hydrolase levels in these tissues ranged from normal to modestly decreased, in contrast to skin fibroblasts, which accumulate enlarged lysosomes and/or autolysosomes also but exhibit very low levels of acid hydrolases. We propose that the lysosomal defect in the exocrine cells is caused by the combination of increased secretion of the acid hydrolases via the constitutive pathway along with their entrapment in secretory granules. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the mechanisms of the tissue-specific abnormalities seen in mucolipidosis type II.     

Binding of the plant hormone kinetin in the active site of Mistletoe Lectin I from Viscum album

The crystal structure of the ribosome inhibiting protein Mistletoe Lectin I (ML-I) derived from the European mistletoe, Viscum album, in complex with kinetin has been refined at 2.7 Å resolution. Suitably large crystals of ML-I were obtained applying the counter diffusion method using the Gel Tube R Crystallization Kit (GT-R) on board the Russian Service Module on the international space station ISS within the GCF mission No. 6, arranged by the Japanese aerospace exploration agency (JAXA). Hexagonal bi-pyramidal crystals were grown during three months under microgravity. Before data collection the crystals were soaked in a saturated solution of kinetin and diffraction data to 2.7 Å were collected using synchrotron radiation and cryogenic techniques. The atomic model was refined and revealed a single kinetin molecule in the ribosome inactivation site of ML-I. The complex demonstrates the feasibility of mistletoe to bind plant hormones out of the host regulation system as part of a self protection mechanism.     

Binding of the plant hormone kinetin in the active site of Mistletoe Lectin I from Viscum album

The crystal structure of the ribosome inhibiting protein Mistletoe Lectin I (ML-I) derived from the European mistletoe, Viscum album, in complex with kinetin has been refined at 2.7? resolution. Suitably large crystals of ML-I were obtained applying the counter diffusion method using the Gel Tube R Crystallization Kit (GT-R) on board the Russian Service Module on the international space station ISS within the GCF mission No. 6, arranged by the Japanese aerospace exploration agency (JAXA). Hexagonal bi-pyramidal crystals were grown during three months under microgravity. Before data collection the crystals were soaked in a saturated solution of kinetin and diffraction data to 2.7? were collected using synchrotron radiation and cryogenic techniques. The atomic model was refined and revealed a single kinetin molecule in the ribosome inactivation site of ML-I. The complex demonstrates the feasibility of mistletoe to bind plant hormones out of the host regulation system as part of a self protection mechanism.     

Structure of mistletoe lectin I from Viscum album in complex with the phytohormone zeatin

The crystal structure of mistletoe lectin I (ML-I) isolated from the European mistletoe Viscum album in complex with the most active phytohormone zeatin has been analyzed and refined to 2.54 A resolution. X-ray suitable crystals of ML-I were obtained by the counter-diffusion method using the Gel-Tube R crystallization kit (GT-R) onboard the Russian Service Module on the international space station ISS. High quality hexagonal bipyramidal crystals were grown during 3 months under microgravity conditions. Selected crystals were soaked in a saturated solution of zeatin and subsequently diffraction data were collected applying synchrotron radiation. A distinct F(o)-F(c) electron density has been found inside a binding pocket located in subunit B of ML-I and has been interpreted as a single zeatin molecule. The structure was refined to investigate the zeatin-ML-I interactions in detail. The results demonstrate the ability of mistletoe to protect itself from the host transpiration regulation by absorbing the most active host plant hormones as part of a defense mechanism.     

The mistletoe lectin I--phloretamide structure reveals a new function of plant lectins

The X-ray structure at 2.7 Å resolution of the complex between the European mistletoe lectin I (Viscum album, ML-I) and the plant growth hormone, 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid amide (phloretamide, PA) from xylem sap has revealed the binding of PA at the so far undescribed hydrophobic cavity located between the two subunits of this ribosome-inhibiting protein. No such cavity is observed in related lectins. The binding of PA is achieved through interactions with the non-conserved residues Val228A, Leu230A, Arg388B, and the C-terminal Pro510B. It is conceivable that binding of PA to ML-I is part of a defence mechanism of the parasite against the host, whereby the parasite prevents the growth hormone of the host from interfering with its own regulatory system. The specific binding of PA to ML-I indicates that heterodimeric RIPs are multifunctional proteins whose functions in the cell have not yet been fully recognized and analyzed.     

THE MIGRATION OF LYMPHOCYTES ACROSS SPECIALIZED VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

Lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to either trypsin or neuraminidase. The ability of the treated cells to migrate into tissues was measured (a) by i.v. injection into intact recipients and (b) by vascular perfusion through an isolated lymph-node preparation. The localization of trypsinized cells in the lymph-nodes of recipients was deficient when compared to untreated lymphocytes and there was a surplus of trypsinized cells in the blood. Trypsinized cells migrated into the isolated nodes in reduced numbers. By contrast, neuraminidase treated lymphocytes were markedly deficient in the blood of recipients early after injection; their localization in the spleen and lymph-nodes was also deficient but they were in surplus in the liver. Moreover they migrated into the isolated nodes in slightly increased numbers. By 24 hr after injection the perturbed localization pattern produced by either enzyme was partly restored to normal. In conclusion, trypsin interfered with the capacity of lymphocytes to migrate into lymph-nodes but neuraminidase did not; the latter promoted the hepatic sequestration of cells and the reduced localization in the blood and tissues was a consequence of this. The hypothesis that lymphocytes adhere to specialized endothelia in lymph-nodes because of specific glycoside sequences on their surface lacks experimental support.     

Fluorometric assay of neuraminidase with a sodium (4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminate) substrate.

This report describes the preparation of a sodium (4-methylumbelliferyl-α-d-N-acetylneuraminate) substrate and its use in a sensitive fluorometric assay of neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) from Vibrio cholerae, cultured fibroblasts, and human leucocytes. V. cholerae neuraminidase showed maximum activity at pH 4.6 and an apparent K_m of 1.5 mm and was activated by CaCl₂ and inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetate, NaCl, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. The inhibition by N-acetylneuraminic acid was competitive (K_i = 6.1 mm). Cultured fibroblast and leucocyte neuraminidases showed maximum activity between pH 4.2 and 4.4 and apparent K_m values of 0.13 and 0.22 mm, respectively. Neuraminidase activity was considerably reduced in cultured fibroblasts of patients with mucolipidosis types I, II, and III.     

The migration of lymphocytes across specialized vascular endothelium. II. The contrasting consequences of treating lymphocytes with tryspin or neuraminidase.

Lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to either trypsin or neuraminidase. The ability of the treated cells to migrate into tissues were measured (a) by i.v. injection into intact recipients and (b) by vascular perfusion through an isolated lymph-node preparation. The localization of trypsinized cells in the lymph-nodes of recipients was deficient when compared to untreated lymphocytes and there was a surplus of trypsinized cells in blood. Trypsinized cells migrated into the isolated nodes in reduced numbers. By contrast, neuraminidase treated lymphocytes were markedly deficient in the blood of recipients early after injection; their localization in the spleen and lymph-nodes was also deficient but they were in surplus in the liver. Moreover they migrated into the isolated nodes in slightly increased numbers. By 24 hr after injection the perturbed localization pattern produced by either enzyme was partly restored to normal. In conclusion, tryspin interfered with the capacity of lymphocytes to migrate into lymph-nodes but neuraminidase did not; the latter promoted the hepatic sequestration of cells and the reduced localization in the blood and tissues was a consequence of this. The hypothesis that lymphocytes adhere to specialized endothelia in lymph-nodes because of specific glycoside sequences on their surface lacks experimental support.     

β-Galactosidase-neuraminidase deficiency in adults: Deficiency of a freeze-labile neuraminidase in leukocytes and fibroblasts

Summary 4-Methylumbelliferyl neuraminidase activity was studied in fibroblasts, leukocytes, and frozen tissues from adult patients with -galactosidase-neuraminidase deficiency and specific clinical manifestations. This enzyme was almost completely deficient in fibroblasts, but the residual activity was relatively high (20% of the control mean) in the leukocytes from the patients. The frozen liver from one patient showed the enzyme activity as high as controls.This enzyme consisted of two components, freeze-labile and freeze-stable, and it was demonstrated that only the labile enzyme was deficient in fibroblasts and leukocytes. The apparently normal activity of neuraminidase in frozen autopsy tissues of a patient may be explained by the loss of the labile component in control tissues after a long-term freezing. The neuraminidase activity was variable in parents and no definite conclusion was drawn on the hereditary nature of the disease.     

Carbohydrate specificity of the receptor sites of mistletoe toxic lectin-I.

The carbohydrate specificity of mistletoe toxic lectin-I (ML-I) was studied by haemagglutination-inhibition assay. The results indicated that ML-I has a broad range of affinity for Gal alpha,beta linked sequences. The galabiose (E, Gal alpha 1----4Gal) sequence, a receptor of the uropathogenic E. coli ligand, was one of the best disaccharide inhibitors tested. The lectin also exhibits affinity for Lac(Gal beta 1----4Glc), T(Gal beta 1----3GalNAc), I/II(Gal beta 1----3/4GlcNAc) and B(Gal alpha 1----3Gal) sequences. Gal alpha 1----4Gal and Gal beta 1----4Glc are frequently occurring sequences of many glycosphingolipids located at the mammalian cell membranes, such as intestinal and red blood cell membranes, for ligand binding and toxin attachment. This finding provides important information concerning the possible mechanism of intoxication of cells by the mistletoe preparation.